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Travelers' pick

Magnetic Island Round-Trip Ferry From Townsville: 20 Minutes

4.56 Excellent · 168 reviews Free cancellation

Duration

20m

Times

Every day · 17 start times

The ferry lands at Nelly Bay Marina, and the island bus meets every arrival to carry you inland.

A round-trip ferry transfer from Townsville to Magnetic Island with SeaLink, crossing Cleveland Bay in 20 minutes with up to 17 departures daily. Return tickets stay valid for six months, so you can spend a day or stay longer. The island sits inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, nearly 70 percent protected as national park, with almost 15 miles of walking trails, 23 bays to explore by water, and the largest koala colony in Northern Australia. The ferry terminal in Townsville is 12 minutes from the airport and close to the CBD and The Strand.

What’s included

Round-trip ferry transfer between Townsville and Magnetic Island.
fuel surcharge.
local island bus service meeting every ferry arrival and departure.
return ticket valid for six months.

Times

Every day 05:30 06:30 07:00 07:45 08:45 09:30 10:30 11:40 13:00 14:15 15:50 16:30 17:25 18:00 19:30 21:20 22:30

Before you book

Group Up to 100 · max 9 per booking

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby

Operated by Sealink Queensland

Traveler reviews

4.56 Excellent 168 verified traveler reviews 74% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 125

4 ★ 26

3 ★ 9

2 ★ 2

1 ★ 6

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The ferry departs Townsville's terminal near the city center and takes 20 minutes to cross Cleveland Bay to Nelly Bay Marina on Magnetic Island. SeaLink runs up to 17 trips a day, so you can choose a departure that fits your schedule, and the local island bus service meets every ferry to carry passengers inland. Your return ticket is open-dated and valid for six months, which means you can stay for an afternoon, a weekend, or longer without deciding the length of your trip when you book.

Once on the island, nearly 70 percent is protected national park. Almost 15 miles of walking trails wind through varied terrain, and the island is home to the largest koala population in Northern Australia. You can encounter them in the wild without a guided tour. The water holds 23 bays plus fringing reefs and shipwrecks. Snorkeling, sea kayaking, fishing and day trips to the Great Barrier Reef are all available at your own pace and expense. The island has shops, spas, hotels and banks within reach of the wilderness, so you can move between convenience and solitude as the day unfolds.

When you're ready to leave, you simply choose from the same 17 daily ferry times to return to Townsville. The fuel surcharge is included in your ticket price, and the journey back takes the same 20 minutes across the bay.

Is this one for you?The 20-minute crossing and flexible return date suit travelers who want to island-hop without committing to a set itinerary. You can catch a morning ferry, spend the day on trails or in the water, and catch any evening departure that works. The frequent departures mean you're not locked into a single schedule.